Referendum poll

[Jolly Roger]

Obviously one sided documentary, but well worth watching.

[TonyKath]

Noticed the other day that Neil Kinnock appeared out of the bowels of Brussels for the Remain campaign. Wonder if his large salary and huge expenses has anything to do with it.

His salary would be the same as Nige's then but there were dark rumours about Nige's expenses some time back which I'm sure aren't true!

Tony

Kinnockio was never an MEP. He was appointed as a Commissioner and later became vice president of the European Commission under Romano Prodi from 1999 - 2004. He'd have been on far more than Nigel, and don't forget his wife was on that gravy train as as well.

Like some other supposed Socialists, he's now Baron and so ison the House or Lords gravy train. He also has nice little earners as chairman of the British Council and president of Cardiff University.

His son is MP for Aberavon.

Sorry forgot he hadn't been an MEP - though he's ticked plenty of other boxes obviously.  Just not the one marked social justice. 

Er.. could there be a vacancy or two any time soon??!

Tony

[Misty]

Now that we know the result what's everyone's views?

[U4ea]

Despite what Juncker & Tusk have said, watch the "extra" concessions for the UK come in now there's been an Out result.

[TonyD]

Tend to agree. Changes are sure to be made to ensure other countries don't follow suit.
However, the fragile, bruised egos in Brussels may not be that generous toward Britain.

In any event, if there were new concessions, we'd undoubtedly need another referendum - God help us!

If only a complacent, arrogant Brussels had been more receptive of Britain's request (not demand) for some fundamental changes BEFORE this referendum. Don't know about others, but I was completely unconvinced by the argument that changes would be negotiated if we voted to stay. That was simply nonsensical.

[Misty]

Also noticed that EU quietly released news that they will be providing a "passports"/ travel document to illegal immigrants to travel anywhere within the EU
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/682887/EU-announces-migrant-passpost-on-EU-referendum-day

[Maik]

So when do we start getting all these new hospitals? 

[TonyD]

not for at least 3 years apparently, as that's the earliest the UK can disentangle from EU payment obligations.....but that's uncomfortably close to the next government too....will they honour the promise?

[HiFi]

Icing on the cake would be to lose Scotland......

[U4ea]

Better days are coming.......they're called Saturday and Sunday.

[Jolly Roger]

Now that we know the result what's everyone's views?

Many of us voted for the European Economic Community, NOT ever closer Political Union. Why would anyone want an extra layer of Government consisting of unelected law makers and a gravy train of hangers on? The EU is a dictatorship.

[Aristarches]

I wouldn't like to be an expat now.  You got out just in time, Mike.

[U4ea]

Fine for 2 years then who knows.

[HiFi]

We'll stay as immigrants - no problem. They we here long before the EU.......

[TonyKath]

My Greek teacher is hurrying to put in her British citizenship application for herself and the family before the door shuts.  It costs a lot of money to buy the book and take the test.  The test is pretty tough with some extremely obscure history questions.  I did a very traditional O level course - which to my shock I managed to fail!  But it was it was full of dates and names of kings and battles so exactly what is needed here. 

There are several unoffical sites giving practice tests but I'm not sure how much credence to give them - one of them is in terrible almost incomprehensible English!  I did this practice test and got 20/24 which I think means I've improved since I was 16!  The pass level is 18/24 so I didn't make it by much.  I would imagine that many Brits might struggle!

Tony

[TonyKath]

On the referendum - It's looking a bit wobbly now.  Is it a fast track or a slow re-negotiation?  Rumours that Vote Leave are sidelining Farage.  One party leader gone - very possibly another and the hounds are out for Osborne, apparently.

One odd fact from today's Daily Mail - Tunbridge Wells, yes Tunbridge Wells, voted REMAIN.  It's in the special results section at the back - ? p104.  I should have realised that TW is known for its metropolitan liberal elite mainly aged between 18 and 34! 

Tony

Update: BBC Referendum Results - search for Tunbridge Wells: Remain win by 9.8%.

[Aristarches]

When are Farage and all the other Brexiteer (another terrible neologism!) MEPs going to resign their seats?  Or are they all going to keep their snouts in the eurotrough as long as they possibly can?

In order to stay on as immigrants British expats may have to change their names to something that sounds Syrian.  I doubt if the EU will be very accommodating otherwise.

Farage will, obviously, be sidelined.  He holds no political position in the UK and has failed in every attempt to get elected to the British parliament.  Farage and UKIP will now be consigned to the rubbish tip of history where they belong.

[U4ea]

Ari
They'll stay there till the very last day. Either to maximise their income, or to look after our interests until we leave. I'll let you decide which.

However if they do resign we'll have no representation unless of course we hold costly elections for short term MEPs.

[Aristarches]

UKIP has now achieved its aims, exit from the EU.  How can they stay as MEPs now.  To look after our interests?  That would be a change!  Snouts will be in troughs until they are dragged kicking and screaming from the European parliament.

[Maik]

I did this practice test and got 20/24

Oh dear, I'm going to be deported

Tests like these have nothing to do with 'being British'.

[Maik]

Many Greeks welcome Brexit vote as snub to overbearing Brussels

http://www.ekathimerini.com/209871/article/ekathimerini/news/many-greeks-welcome-brexit-vote-as-snub-to-overbearing-brussels

[Aristarches]

Many Greeks welcome Brexit vote as snub to overbearing Brussels

http://www.ekathimerini.com/209871/article/ekathimerini/news/many-greeks-welcome-brexit-vote-as-snub-to-overbearing-brussels

When I was in Kef recently I had several conversations with locals who to a man, and woman, supported Brexit.  The hope was that Brexit would lead to the break up of the EU and, thus, the euro and end the control of Greece by the Troika.  These were the same people that were scared rigid that Greece would leave the Eurozone and be kicked out of the EU a couple of years ago.  Of course, Britain has, like the Greeks, only voted to leave.  We will see if the Buffon and his cohorts have the balls to do what they promised or will Johnson's  name become synonymous with Tsipras as yet another self seeking, power hungry politician.

[Maik]

Reality Check: Have Leave campaigners changed their tune?


Immigration

The campaign claim: Immigration levels could be controlled if the UK left the EU. This would relieve pressure on public services.

The current claim: Immigration levels can't be radically reduced by leaving the EU. Fears about immigration did not influence the way people voted.


Contributions to the EU budget

The campaign claim: We send £350m a week to Brussels, which could be spent on the NHS instead.

The current claim: The claim was a mistake, and we will not be able to spend that much extra on the NHS.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36641390

 

[Aristarches]

In fact, now that the UK rating has been reduced the cost of government borrowing will increase and wipe out any savings that might, at some unspecified time in the future, be made from the EU contributions.

Did anyone believe Bojo the clown and his acolytes.  As the man said "Why is this lying bastard lying to me."  And as the woman said, "the only number you are interested in is number 10".

The clown combines a churchillian belief in the superiority of the British people with a patrician contempt for the common man.  A strange admixture of his hero worship of Churchill and his passion for ancient Rome.

[HiFi]

I quite like the bloke.....